SKollmann Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Fly tier and author Jack Gartside, considered by many to be one of the most innovative tiers of the modern era, died last night after a protracted battle with lung cancer. Gartside was taught how to tie flies at the age of 10 by Ted Williams, the Boston Red Sox outfielder. ("I wormed my way up to the table and asked if he'd show me how to tie a fly," said Gartside. "They sat me down at the vise. Ted went through the motions to show me how to tie a woolly worm.") Among his best-known original patterns are the Sparrow, the Soft Hackle Streamer, the Pheasant Hopper, the Gartside Leech, the FishHead, and the Gurgler. His designs have been featured in Eric Leiser's Book of Fly Patterns, Judith Dunham's The Art of the Trout Fly, Lefty Kreh's Salt Water Fly Patterns, Dick Stewart's Salt Water Flies, and Dick Brown's Flyfishing for Bonefish. He was one of the first fly tyers to be profiled in Sports Illustrated (October 12, 1982). From Robert H. Boyle's Sports Illustrated profile: "To describe Gartside simply as a hawker of stream-side flies would be like calling Nathan's Famous frankfurters mere hot dogs. Along with John Betts, who ties with synthetic materials (SI, May 4, 1981), Gartside, who ties almost exclusively with natural materials, is in the front rank nationally, which means the world." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 I was sorry to see that. We have lost a creative person who worked with Bohemian Chenille and EVA craft foam as well as the classic materials. He had a great site where he shared his creations. http://www.jackgartside.com/step_wiggle_worm.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rich mc Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 many of the fly websites had anglers write nice things about him.i personally had emails with him after i purchased a few of his flies years ago and got hooked on the bohemian chenille. i am ina gartside memorial fly swap on flytyingforum. 12 tyers will each tie 13 of their favorite gartside pattern or variation. .each tyers get one and the extra fly ies willbe sent to his wife along with a card from each tyer. Jack will be missed. rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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